John A. Husted â€“ 99th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives â€“ answers the question: What happens when a bill is introduced but does not pass?

In fact, most bills don’t pass. Sometimes legislation is introduced just to make a point, or to point out a need.

]]>http://wosu.org/2012/education/when-bills-do-not-pass/feed/0The Role of the Ohio General Assemblyhttp://wosu.org/2012/education/the-role-of-the-ohio-general-assembly/
http://wosu.org/2012/education/the-role-of-the-ohio-general-assembly/#commentsThu, 04 Aug 2011 14:18:59 +0000Scott Gowanshttp://beta.wosu.org/education/?p=397John A. Husted â€“ 99th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives â€“ answers the question: What is the role of the General Assembly in Ohio?]]>

John A. Husted â€“ 99th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives â€“ answers the question: What is the role of the General Assembly in Ohio?

The general assembly passes the laws of the State of Ohio as well as pass the state’s budget.

]]>http://wosu.org/2012/education/the-role-of-the-ohio-general-assembly/feed/0Responsibilities of the Speaker of the Househttp://wosu.org/2012/education/responsibilities-of-the-speaker-of-the-house/
http://wosu.org/2012/education/responsibilities-of-the-speaker-of-the-house/#commentsThu, 04 Aug 2011 13:47:07 +0000Scott Gowanshttp://beta.wosu.org/education/?p=391John A. Husted â€“ 99th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives â€“ answers the question: What are the responsibilities for the Speaker of the House?]]>

John A. Husted â€“ 99th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives â€“ answers the question: What are the responsibilities for the Speaker of the House?

The Speaker appoints all members of select committees and conference committees, determines which bills come to the floor for a vote, and serves as the voice of the House in discussions between the Senate and the Governor.

]]>http://wosu.org/2012/education/responsibilities-of-the-speaker-of-the-house/feed/0How a Bill Gets Startedhttp://wosu.org/2012/education/how-a-bill-gets-started/
http://wosu.org/2012/education/how-a-bill-gets-started/#commentsThu, 04 Aug 2011 13:40:52 +0000Scott Gowanshttp://beta.wosu.org/education/?p=387John A. Husted â€“ 99th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives â€“ answers the question: How does a bill get started?]]>

John A. Husted â€“ 99th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives â€“ answers the question: How does a bill get started?

Anyone can think up an idea for a state law. If the person or group wants that idea to actually become a law, they have to tell the idea to a legislator (a senator or member of the General Assembly).

If the legislator likes the idea, he or she has it written up as a bill. A bill is a proposal for a new law. People at the Office of Legislative Services write bills. The legislator who asks them to write it up becomes the sponsor of the bill. Other legislators who like the bill may join the legislator as co-sponsors.

]]>http://wosu.org/2012/education/how-a-bill-gets-started/feed/0How the General Assembly Elects a Speaker of the Househttp://wosu.org/2012/education/how-the-general-assembly-elects-a-speaker-of-the-house/
http://wosu.org/2012/education/how-the-general-assembly-elects-a-speaker-of-the-house/#commentsThu, 04 Aug 2011 13:37:20 +0000Scott Gowanshttp://beta.wosu.org/education/?p=383John A. Husted â€“ 99th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives â€“ answers the question: How does the General Assembly of Ohio elect a Speaker of the House?]]>

John A. Husted â€“ 99th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives â€“ answers the question: How does the General Assembly of Ohio elect a Speaker of the House?

The House of Representatives elects the Speaker of the House on the first day of every new session. Each party nominates a candidate. There is usually some degree of consensus within each party’s leadership as to who the favored candidate will be. Whoever receives a simple majority of the votes is elected.

]]>http://wosu.org/2012/education/how-the-general-assembly-elects-a-speaker-of-the-house/feed/0How a Bill Becomes Lawhttp://wosu.org/2012/education/how-a-bill-becomes-law/
http://wosu.org/2012/education/how-a-bill-becomes-law/#commentsWed, 03 Aug 2011 18:49:03 +0000Scott Gowanshttp://beta.wosu.org/education/?p=375John A. Husted â€“ 99th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives â€“ answers the question: How does a bill become law ?]]>

John A. Husted â€“ 99th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives â€“ answers the question: How a Bill Becomes Law ?

Legislation is Introduced – Any member can introduce a piece of legislation

Committee Action – The bill is referred to the appropriate committee by the Speaker of the House or the presiding officer in the Senate.
Committee Steps:

Comments about the bill’s merit are requested by government agencies.
Bill can be assigned to subcommittee by Chairman.
Hearings may be held.
Subcommittees report their findings to the full committee.
Finally there is a vote by the full committee – the bill is “ordered to be reported.”

Floor Action:
Legislation is placed on the Calendar
Debate
Vote

Conference Committee Members from each house form a conference committee and meet to work out the differences.